What is Central Retinal Artery Occlusion (CRAO)?

Q: My wife suddenly lost her vision two months back. After diagnosis it was found that there is a CRAO (Central Retinal Artery Occlusion) problem. She is a healthy 30 years old woman. She took treatment at Sankara Netharalaya, Chennai where the cause of the problem was not found. As per the doctor's suggestion her cardiovascular examination was done and a mild RHD was found. Another doctor suggested that mild RHD cannot causes emboli formation. Her blood reports are normal. How to improve her vision? Now she cannot see anything from the eye with CRAO. Please suggest best possible treatment for her.

A:CRAO, or Central Retinal Artery Occlusion is a condition in which there is irreversible damage to the retinal rods and cones, cells which process light into electrical stimulus for the brain to understand, as a result of complete stoppage of blood flow. Within 6 hours, the retina becomes damaged, if immediate measures are not taken to prevent full stoppage of blood supply.The cause usually is a problem with the heart or blood vessels supplying blood to the eye. Factors which can increase the risk for CRAO are pregnancy, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and some medicines like oral contraceptive pills. The cardiologist has to enquire into great detail for such history and investigate accordingly. This is to prevent such episode from occurring in the other eye or brain.